Power BI Embedded capacity-based SKUs coming to Azure

Today, Microsoft announced new Power BI Embedded SKUs will be available in Azure beginning Oct. 2.

Power BI Embedded is intended to simplify how ISVs and developers use Power BI capabilities, helping them quickly add stunning visuals, reports and dashboards into their apps – in the same way apps built on Azure leverage services like Machine Learning and IoT. By enabling easy-to-navigate data exploration in their apps, ISVs allow their customers to make quick, informed decisions in context.

In May we announced the convergence of the Power BI and Power BI Embedded services. The convergence delivered one API surface, a consistent set of capabilities and access to the latest features across both services. Additionally, we introduced a capacity-based pricing model, simplifying how Power BI is consumed.

With Power BI Embedded, ISVs and developers will now also have added flexibility in how they embed intelligence in their apps using the Power BI APIs. ISVs and developers can take advantage of minimized development efforts to achieve faster time to market and differentiate themselves by infusing Microsoft’s world-class analytics engine in their app. Equally, developers can spend time focusing on their solution to meet customer demands, instead of developing visual analytics features. Additionally, Power BI Embedded enables you to work within the familiar development environments – Visual Studio and Azure – you already use.

Have an existing app with embedded Power BI content using Power BI Premium? If you are an ISV or developer delivering apps or an organization using them, no action is needed – you (and your customers) can continue using these apps without interruption. If you have an existing app built on Power BI Workspace Collections and are interested in taking advantage of the converged API surface and the new, capacity-based Azure SKUs, visit documentation for migration guidance.

New to embedding visuals, reports, and dashboards in your apps? ISVs and developers should look to Power BI Embedded – follow these steps to get started:

1. Setup the Power BI Embedded environment for development

Setup your environment for testing. Make sure you have an Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) tenant. You can use an existing tenant or create a new one. Then, create an Azure AD user and signup for the Power BI service with that user with a Power BI Pro license. Register your app in Azure AD and then create an App Workspace in Power BI so you can publish reports.

3. Publish your solution to production

Power BI Embedded utilizes Azure consumption-based, hourly pricing model with as well as the ability to pause and resume the service, and scale up/down or out/in as necessary without commitments. Watch the Azure website in the coming days for more information on SKU details, pricing and availability.